PAOK showed exceptional character and eliminated Floisvos with a 2-3 game score (25:22, 25:21, 22:25, 23:25, 15:17), to qualify for the first time for the Nikos Samaras League Cup final. The Thessaloniki team twice came back from almost lost positions and deservedly will play for the trophy.
Kurtev – the man for big points
A very strong match for Nikolay Kurtev, who showed his best on the court. The middle blocker was key in the two most decisive moments of the match:
– the block for 23:25 in the fourth game, which sent the match into a tie-break;
– the ace for 15:17 in the fifth game, which brought the historic victory.
His performance in blocking and service stability in the most tense rallies completely changed the psychological landscape of the match.
Kolev – the start of the comeback.
No less important was Nikolay Kolev, who with a sure attack ended the third game at 22:25 and brought PAOK back to life. From then on, the middle blocker of the Thessaloniki team played with confidence, which was crucial for turning the rhythm of the match.
Strong reaction in the most difficult moments.
In both the third and fourth games, PAOK was under pressure, but the aggressive serving and cool-headed performances of Kurtev and Kolev in the middle melted away the differences and turned the tide of the match.
Menelaos Kokkinakis deservedly received the MVP award for the second semi-final, in which PAOK prevailed over Floisvos with a 3:2 game score.
A look at the final.
After the drama against Floisvos, the Thessaloniki team will compete for the League Cup for the first time. And the brightest figures on the path to the final were undoubtedlyKurtev and Kolev, the people who led PAOK to a historic comeback.
Charalambidis –9 pts.
Van Harderen –18 pts.
Papadopoulos H. –22 pts
PAOK's Top 3 Scorers
Hernandez –22 pts
Kovacevic –21 pts
Kokkinakis –14 pts
Nikolay
10 points
- Attack:4/6 successful attacks
- Block:4 blocks
- Serve:2 aces
Nikolay
14 points
- Attack:10/18 success rate
- Block:3 blocks
- Serve:1 ace
